Hi Everyone. I posted a couple of questions in my intro but I assume that was the wrong place....I'm new, please forgive. I'm trying to get my kids out of PS ASAP, I forgot to mention in my intro in case anyone read my story that one motivation factor is that I might would have to homeschool my 14 year old son, 8th grade, for 8 weeks regardless of whether or not I homeschooled my daughter (10 yrs. 5th grade) or not because he might have to have surgery on his foot/ankle and would be off of his feet for that long. But I decided to pull them both out, and want them out YESTERDAY. My story is in my intro as to why. I could post 50 reasons, but I'll spare you all. At any rate, I need help, I am overwhelmed at all the curriculum choices out there! I love the idea of using curriculum that is Bible based (we are a Christian family) but I have heard that Abeka is difficult, both to learn and to teach, in some areas of study. Plus, I know it is very expensive. My mother works at our church, which also has a Christian school that uses Abeka, my oldest son used to go there (only for two grades and that was spaced out--K and 5th grades) and I know some about the curriculum but only through his schoolwork at that time. I want a curriculum that is not complicated to plan lessons or teach that will hold my kid's attention. Also, does anyone have any ideas as to what I can do to start them both in math, as my son is some behind (8th grade), but my daughter (5th) is pretty much on track. I don't have weeks to research this and wait on materials and info so I feel rushed and overwhelmed. I can't wait to get started, but it's getting started that is so confusing to me. I plan to take a trip to the mall bookstores later for Mary's book and Lisa Whelchels' also, if they have them. I'd hate to wait for days for the book. I'm also ordering the Practical Homeshooling magazine, how long does it take to get your first issue of that?? Also, is the magazine monthly?? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks so much for any replies.

First, look at your local library to see if you can find the books there (or give the library a call to find out).

Second, you need to know the laws for your state.

Third, think about how your children learn. Visually, Auditorily, or Kinesthetically? With stories or plain facts? This will help you know what kind of curricula to start looking at..

Fourth, think about your teaching style. How do you give information best?

Fifth, think about their schoolwork: where do they struggle and where do they excel? Has this changed over time with teachers, or does it seem innate? You might be able to use the areas in which they excel to help them understand the areas in which they struggle.

For math, you can start with a basic workbook from Walmart, until you find what you're looking for!

Thanks so much Rachel. See, I hadn't even thought of looking at the library for the books instead of the bookstore! I'm just so overwhelmed with trying to choose a curriculum we can afford. I am leaning towards the BJU for most subjects, but not sure we can afford it.
I have already found out about the laws here and such, have the Notice of Intent and info from the county baord coming to me. I can withdraw the kids on Nov. 8, so I only have that long to get my curriculm. I do like to be well organized and on track, which is why I need an uncomplicated curriculum with good teaching materials to keep ME on track. Thanks for your help, if you think of anything else, please let me know.

Actually, there is one other thing I forgot to mention: deschooling.
When you take a child out of a classroom environment, they often need time to get out of the classroom mindset in order to really learn at home. This would mean that you would use less structured, less "orthodox" means to teach them than having them sit down to workbooks. The guideline is one month per year of classroom learning.

You may not be able to do that. And it's okay if you don't. But you may end up seeing a need for more frequent breaks, days off, or even vacation weeks. Most states don't say you have to do school every day that ps is open, though some do have you document your attendence to make sure you have x number of days in during a year.

Just remember to go easy and start slowly. Take a look at what they need to learn about and get the most fun way you can think of to teach about it. There's a movie about just about every subject to introduce it and make it more fun.

BJUP has very good materials, if you're wanting to get everything from one publisher (and under the circumstances, it's probably a good idea).

However, you might find it easier for math to have your dc take Saxon's on-line placement test and go from there.

I'm also curious about why you must wait until Nov. 8. Here's the link to Home School Legal Defense Association's "Legal Analysis of WV Law." According to HSLDA, with the second option you just notify the school board two weeks before you're going to start hsing.

Another resource in libraries is the "Core Knowledge" series. It's the one whose books are What Every 1st Grader Needs to Know, etc. They give a good "scope and sequence" (a good google term for knowing what to teach when) for each grade level.

For textbooks, I'd recommend looking in used bookstores, esp. those near college campus areas. However, those may be too advanced for your dc. Discount stores often have workbooks for math, spelling, and other subjects fairly cheaply that you could use until your regular curriculum comes in.

Hi, thanks for info about BJU. I have visited their web site, also. I decided to go with Developmental Math, and am starting them a year back because I know my kids and I know how most material is advanced. I will supplement as we go along if needed. I'm not ordering any one curriculum, I have found so much that I can use for the time being and I am going to wing it as I kind of design what works for us.

As for having to wait until Nov. 8, I did notify the school system to send me the Notice of Intent to fill out, and they said they would date it for that same day, which they did, and I had to wait the two weeks before officially withdrawing them, which is Nov 8. However, they haven't been absent much this year, so I am keeping them home as of this week, and all I have to do is send a written excuse and this week's absences will be excused ones, so no problems there with truancy. This week is kind of a break for them, I have started them on a unit reading lesson with books they will enjoy and it's where they only have to read a chapter a day (they can choose to read more if they want to) and then they write a little about what they read, according to what I tell them I want.

If anyone is interested, I found this lesson on Marco Polo, which is FULL of lessons that are for teachers, (geared for PS I guess, but easily adapted for homeschool. This lesson has a suggested reading list, and it is mainly focused on indivuduals, or characters that have displaced some kind of courage, but the lesson is turned around in a way that, in the end, with the lessons, the child realizes his own courage. They don't know until the end that the reason for the lesson was to teach them that THEY have courage. There is also a companion lesson for girls, they go hand in hand if you have a HD and a HS, which I do. The one for girls is about heroines, so this one shows them what a true heroine is, and in the end it brings out their own heroism (?). These are kind of character building lessons, that are also used to confirm a child's inner strengths to themselves, and overcoming obstacles, which is so good for kids who don't have that great a self-esteem or have gotten off track due to peer pressure. The one for girls comes from a lesson for online reading circles, and asks the girl to email her thoughts about the chapters to her circle of friends, but I am going to adapt that to just the writing.

There are several subjects that can be covered in doing this. Social Studies (either history, depending on the chosen book, or social studies itself, when used to analyze how the characters react to situations, geography, have kids to look up the geographical locations (i.e. the wild west, and so forth), etc, Language (writing skills, grammar, punctuation, penmanship), life skills (when the book is finished, ask them if there is anything they can do or would like to do that they thought they couldn't do before reading this book, then DO it).

So, if you'd like to try what I am doing, you can record that your child has had all these lessons as you go along. AND, it's kind of a sneaky way to get in lessons they don't even know they are doing. Of course, to do their best, they need to know that the language part counts in writing their lessons after each chapter, and that will improve as time goes on. The books I chose for my kids are required reading, but they will enjoy them, too.